Digimon Survive Seems Worth Waiting For

Digimon Survive was first announced in 2018, but has suffered a number of delays since. Originally slated for 2019, the title was first pushed back to 2020 before suffering a second delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Digimon Survive is still expected to release in 2021, but Bandai Namco has yet to provide a more specific window.

Despite the delays, Digimon Survive promises to be an exciting new entry in the franchise. The game will be breaking from quite a few established Digimon tropes by telling a surprisingly mature story and leaving the Digital World behind. The game's story is also much smaller in scope than previous games, focusing on a group of teens trying to escape a dangerous world rather than on factions of Digimon tamers trying to save the world. If done right, Digimon Survive will prove that Digimon games can break from the mold and still deliver a compelling story.

Gameplay in Digimon Survive is divided into different sections, which will include interactions with other characters, a point-and-click-style search for supplies, and a grid-based tactical battle system. These sections are strung together by a 2D visual novel that also includes animated cutscenes. While players will eventually interact with each of these gameplay elements, there will also be Free Action sections where they can choose between strengthening their bonds with other party members and training their Digimon.

The combination is unique, bringing to mind the choice-driven narratives of Telltale games and the strategic combat of the Fire Emblem series. The game will also only feature 100 Digimon, far fewer than Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth's count of 341. The choice to include a smaller roster takes the focus away from collecting and raising as many monsters as possible, which has been the main draw of most Digimon games. Digimon Survive will focus on building relationships with individual Digimon instead, which is closer to the Digimon Adventure anime series.

The gameplay in Digimon Survive already sets it apart from previous titles, but its tone will be even more unique. Survive is poised to be the most mature Digimon game yet, focusing on death and danger as central themes. Players will be faced with choices that can result in the deaths of other party members. The Digimon Adventure anime series was also about children getting lost in an unfamiliar world, but Digimon Survive will depict that scenario through a darker lens.

Digimon Survive will put its own spin on the lore of the series, portraying Digimon as ancient spirits rather than creatures spawned from digital devices. Digimon will be explained through the lens of Japanese folklore, rooting their history more firmly in the real world. To explore this idea further, Digimon Survive will take place in a brand new setting rather than the Digital World. By abandoning such an iconic setting, the new title won't be constrained by the lore established in previous entries.

It's understandable why Digimon fans are desperate to get their hands on a new game, considering that Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth came out more than six years ago. Digimon Survive might be taking longer than expected, but its potential can't be overstated. If its story is as compelling as it appears to be, Digimon Survive could redefine Digimon games for years to come.